Relational iterations and emotional activations: towards a radicalization of processuality of collective identities

Abstract

Collective identity has been conceptualized by social movement theories mainly as a definition. In this text, based in feminist theories, I argue that the conceptualization of collective identity as a definition forgets other fundamental dimensions —mainly relations and emotions— and, moreover, limits its processual character. This argument is based on the study of contemporary feminist mobilizations in Spain through a qualitative fieldwork (quasi-biographical interviews, focus groups, participant observations and the analysis of written and graphic materials). The analysis allows the widening of dimensions of collective identities —from definitions to relations and emotions— as well as the radicalization of their processuality by placing the notions of iteration and activation at the heart of the analysis. I offer a theoretical-analytical proposal that understands that collective identities are but partial materializations, always unfinished processes.